Medical Device Internal Wetting Agent Copolymer Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomedical devices with internal wetting agents face challenges such as prolonged dissolution times, increased manufacturing costs, and issues with transparency, particularly in applications like ophthalmic lenses.
Innovation Solution
A medical device incorporating a copolymer of a silicone monomer with a hydroxyl group, along with an internal wetting agent composed of a copolymer of an open-chain compound having an acidic group and an open-chain compound having an amide group, within a specific concentration range to enhance transparency and hydrophilicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high concentration of internal wetting agent (15% by mass) is used to achieve good hydrophilicity, then water absorption capability is improved, but dissolution time increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the internal wetting agent from conventional hydrophilic polymers to copolymers containing acidic groups and amide groups in specific ratios. This structural parameter change enables the wetting agent to achieve equivalent hydrophilicity at lower concentrations (0.1-10% by mass), thereby reducing dissolution time and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable water absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite copolymer structures combining different functional groups (acidic groups and amide groups) to create an internal wetting agent with synergistic effects. The acidic groups provide strong water affinity while the amide groups contribute to hydrophilicity, allowing the composite material to achieve superior hydrophilic performance at lower concentrations compared to single-component polymers
2Reliability
If conventional internal wetting agents are used to improve hydrophilicity, then biocompatibility is improved, but transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the internal wetting agent by selecting copolymers with specific functional group compositions (acidic groups and amide groups) that are transparent in the visible spectrum. This parameter optimization allows the material to maintain excellent biocompatibility and hydrophilicity while achieving the required transparency for ophthalmic lens applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the hydrophilic functional groups (acidic and amide groups) at specific locations within the polymer structure where they can interact with water molecules, while maintaining the overall transparency of the lens material. The copolymer structure allows hydrophilic regions to be distributed uniformly without creating light-scattering aggregates
3Illumination intensity
If a copolymer with hydroxyl group and specific hydroxyl content ratio is used, then transparency is improved, but the amount of internal wetting agent required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydroxyl group content ratio in the silicone monomer copolymer to a specific range (0.003-0.03 mmol/g) to achieve transparency. Simultaneously, it selects copolymers with acidic groups and amide groups that have high water affinity, allowing the system to maintain transparency while reducing the overall amount of internal wetting agent required to achieve the desired hydrophilicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed solution enables the production of medical devices with excellent transparency and hydrophilicity, while reducing the amount of internal wetting agent required, thus lowering manufacturing costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
the internal wetting agent contains a copolymer of an open-chain compound having an acidic group and an open-chain compound having an amide group
Implementation Method 2
the copolymer of a silicone monomer has a hydroxyl group and that the content ratio of the hydroxyl group in the silicone monomer is in the range of from 0.0005 to 0.01 equivalents/g
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device including an internal wetting agent and a copolymer of a silicone monomer and satisfying the following conditions: (1) that the internal wetting agent contains a copolymer of an open-chain compound having an acidic group and an open-chain compound having an amide group; (2) that the internal wetting agent is contained in the range of from 0.1 to 10% by mass with respect to the whole medical device; and (3) that the copolymer of a silicone monomer has a hydroxyl group and that the content ratio of the hydroxyl group in the silicone monomer is in the range of from 0.0005 to 0.01 equivalents/g. A medical device containing an internal wetting agent and having excellent transparency and hydrophilicity can be obtained.